Made in Michigan: Detroit Bikes

DETROIT (WZZM) -- For more than 100 years, the manufacturing of motorized transportation made Detroit "Motor City." Now a new manufacturing company in the city is focusing on pedal power and two-wheel transportation.

The first Detroit Bikes shipped last fall. Eight dedicated employees are building them in Detroit using U.S. chromoly steel.

"It's an easy to use simple bike; it has coaster brakes and three speeds. It is just a classic old school bike design," explained Zakary Pashak, president of Detroit Bikes.

Pashak says he's glad to be building bicycles in Michigan when so many big American bicycle companies send manufacturing this overseas.

"The bike industry has largely just vacated the country. There are American companies but none of them are actually making the bikes. So we are an American company, but we are actually also manufacturing in the states."

Pashak says Detroit Bikes is taking advantage of the city's talented labor force. "There are people who are very good at making things who live in this area. So it is important for us that people know where the bike is coming from and that we show our pride in where the bike is coming from."

Which means Detroit is prominent on the front and back of the bike. "I think there is a lot of people rooting for the city," Pashak said.

Pashak is Canadian and he could have taken his manufacturing idea anywhere, but he relocated to Detroit, attracted to the city's attitude and economic rebound.

"I wanted to be part of that story, part of these interesting new business that are opening up. And waving the Detroit flag as proudly as possible," he said.

The A-type and B-type step through frame bicycles are currently available at stores in 20 states. Both retail for just under $700. City Hub Cyclery in Muskegon is currently the only West Michigan bike shop carrying Detroit Bikes.